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Novel Coronavirus Position Statement

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Posted: Fri, 7th Feb 2020

The Australian Institute of Sport has released an evidence based Position Statement on Novel Coronavirus and Sporting Activities

There is concern regarding the emergence of a new virus, known as Novel Coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV), which originated in the Hubei Province of China. The main driver of human to human transmission, based on currently available data, is symptomatic cases, that is, individuals who are unwell. A small number of cases have been diagnosed in Australia, all of which have been contracted in China. At the time of this update, there has been no local transmission within Australia.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from common cold symptoms to more severe disease such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They are found worldwide in both humans and animals.

2019-nCoV is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The mode of transmission is not fully understood. Spread is thought to be from coughing, sneezing or direct contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person. The incubation period – time from exposure to the virus to when symptoms appear – ranges from 2 to 14 days.

There is no vaccine against coronaviruses. Treatment involves medical assessment to guide medications aimed at settling the symptoms, similar to any flu-like illness.

The risk of becoming unwell with 2019-nCoV without a history of travel to China in the last 14 days is very low. As a result there are no restrictions on Australians attending sporting events or large public events.

The Australian Government now recommends that Australians do not travel to China due to the increased risk from 2019-nCoV.